MEP Stanisław Tyszka (ESN) has questioned the European Commission about the partial shutdown of air conditioning in one of its main buildings during a heatwave, highlighting a potential contradiction between the EU's climate resilience policies and its own administrative practices. The written question, submitted on 13 July 2026, follows a Politico report that on 26 June 2026, air conditioning was switched off on floors one through seven of a Commission building while higher floors continued to be cooled. Trade unions, including U4U, have raised concerns about wider cooling system failures and their impact on working conditions.
what technical or organisational criteria led to the selective air conditioning operation; whether the Commission has assessed the resilience of its buildings and cooling systems to increasingly frequent heatwaves; and how it ensures that the management of its own buildings aligns with the climate resilience, energy efficiency, and public administration preparation standards it promotes to member states.
Tyszka's question implicitly challenges the Commission's credibility as a leader in climate adaptation, given that EU institutions are expected to set an example. The Commission typically has six weeks to respond, and its answer will signal whether it acknowledges any inconsistency between its internal building management and its external policy advice. The issue affects Commission staff working conditions and raises broader questions about the EU's commitment to walking the talk on climate resilience.